How to Enroll in Medicare

There are specific time periods to be aware of for your Medicare enrollment. Be sure to mark
these dates on your calendar.

Original Medicare Enrollment

You can enroll in Medicare
during a seven-month period around the time of your 65th birthday,
known as your initial enrollment period. This period begins three months before your birth
month, includes your birth month, and ends three months after.

See the example below of someone who turns 65 during the month of June.

March

April

May

June-Your 65th birthday month!

July

August

September

Normally, someone will enroll in Medicare Parts A and B at the same time but there are
exceptions. For example, if someone continues to work past age 65 and is covered by a group
health plan, they may want to delay enrolling in Part B.

Medicare Supplement Enrollment

If you decide to supplement your Original Medicare by enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan,
you must first enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. You then have an open enrollment period
that lasts six-months, during which you can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan.

During this six-month window, you don't have to answer any health questions –
you're guaranteed
to get the coverage you want. After the six-month window expires, you may have to answer health
questions upon application and you will not be guaranteed to get the coverage.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment

If you decide to replace your Original Medicare benefits with Medicare Advantage to lower your out-of-pocket costs, you first have to be entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B.

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the seven-month period around the time of your 65th birthday.

Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment

If you've decided to add Prescription Drug Coverage to your Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage
or Medicare Supplement, then you first have to be qualified for Medicare Part A and/or Medicare
Part B.

You can enroll in a Medicare-approved Prescription Drug plan during the seven-month period around
the time of your 65th birthday.

Late Enrollment Penalties

There can be late enrollment penalties for Medicare Parts A, B and D if you're eligible for those
parts but do not enroll.

Understand more about when these penalties apply and how to avoid them at
Medicare.gov.

Your Plan Recommendations

Choosing your Medicare insurance plan is a big decision.

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